Late 1800's Valentine

I would say that Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday but then St. Patrick's day comes along to replace my affection, and then Easter and so on.  My true love is simply the idea of a celebration and the opportunity to acknowledge those I love with simple little somethings to mark each occasion.  A homemade card of doily and dresden images. A fistful of balloons or a heart of chocolates. A bouquet of flowers wrapped with a satin ribbon. A homemade cake in a pink box tied up in twine. These things make my heart smile.

If you love all the pretty little party things too, then take a peek at my new store on Amazon, "Bon Fortune A-Party Shop" open now.  I have pulled together a collection of lovelies for you just click on the product images above to see the entire collection or to purchase. You may also view my picks for Valentine's Day Party supplies with a click here.

www.bonfortune.com shop opening soon. 

Bon Fortune: A Garden Fairy Party

Click link to view post: Bon Fortune: A Garden Fairy Party

Cowboys & Indians

Wild West Party by Bon Fortune

Customized party inviation

Birthday Buckaroo

Birthday Banner

Before the chuck wagon bell rang for lunch, kids enjoyed fresh picked apples and popcorn snacks. 

Custom designed cake & cupcakes

Activities:Pony Rides, mining for gold, trading post,
Games: steer roping, duck pond, snake in the boot

Party Favors by Bon Fortune

Cupcake toppers

Wooden nickel currency for trading post

Custom pony bead pouch

Custom designed party favor for Birthday boy Jack

Children participated in roping, games, and pony rides
earning wooden nickels and trading them at a trading post for prizes such as
bow and arrows, cap guns, as well as custom designed favors.  

Custom designed tipi

The perfect venue

Template design for trail mix treat bags

Customized favor tags

                                                                         Coordinating side fold thank you card

Cornucopia

credit source  Goddess Fortuna  click link for image and material 

I am often asked about the name of my shop, Bon Fortune. What does it mean? Where did the name come from? The answer is that I made it up. Bon Fortune (pronounced: Bon Fortoon) does not actually exist in any language in particular. The closest association is to the Italian, Buona Fortuna (good fortune), and the French, Bonne Chance (good luck) and Bonne Fortune (success).

The Italian version is a reference back to the mythological Roman goddess of fertility and abundance, Fortuna. Fortuna is often depicted steering our destiny and holding a cornucopia (horn of plenty) as a symbol of the great fortune she may bestow.  The painting here depicts the precarious balance Fortuna commands over lives and fortunes.

My husband and I were married in Italy and as we made our procession through Bellagio's narrow and ancient cobblestone paths, we heard the kind expressions that echoed off balconies, and doorways "Buona Fortuna!" I still hear the words as a blessing of abundance and fertility. 

Two children and several anniversaries and birthday parties later,  Bon Fortune was born of my desire to create a place filled with a cornacopia of whimsical, traditional, charming and unique celebration supplies.

As you look around this harvest season and notice cornucopias everywhere perhaps you will think of Fortuna, or my interpretation of her as a fortune fairy spilling gifts and offerings in abundance.

Consider the fickleness of fortune, and when in your favor, be thankful and celebrate your blessings.

With Gratitude,

Bon Fortune!

Happy Halloween

The golden era of Halloween to my mind, was in the 20's and 30's. Elaborate costume balls, crepe paper costumes, turbins of silk and feather, fortune tellers, pierrots and of course candy! Candy corn, Smarties, Tootsie pops, gummy bears, Necco wafers, Cracker jacks, Hershey bars and likely your favorite candy too, was born of this era. For a peek into the history of the costumes and the goodies of the 20's & 30's,  treat yourself to these fabulous posts from The Painted Woman and The Depression Era Kitchen.

Clara Bow from The Painted Woman

Bogie Book 1922 The Painted Woman

The Depression Era Kitchen

Back to School

Vintage German Scrapbook Images

Summer hasn't had it's last days but it already feels like yesterday. Fall is crowding my mind with thoughts of things to do in a hurry to prepare my son for school. Tippy top of the list, in front of school clothes shopping and other practical matters, is the need to create a back to school cone or Shultuete. 


A Shultuete is a large decorated cone filled with sweets and treats. It is a German tradition that dates back to 1810. Legend has it that a special tree grows in the yard of each teacher. When a child is born a blossom appears on the teachers tree. As the child grows, the blossom matures to eventually become a cone. When it is a child's time to enter first grade the teacher welcomes the child by plucking the ripe cone from the special tree and presenting it to the new student. It is a right of passage and a charming beginning for children entering the 1st grade. 


In Germany, to this day the tradition continues. The first day of school is a celebration and welcome. The Shultuete either purchased or  prepared by parents are handed out at the end of the day to each new student. The children parade home with the  magnificent cones and then enjoy the goodies. 


I first discovered the idea of the school cone many years ago. Well before my child's "blossom appeared on the teacher's tree". Almost magically all those years have flown by and now the gift fairy whispers: "It is time!" The proverbial cone is ripe and so it is now time for me to craft a school cone for my kindergarden child as he transitions to the first grade. 


If it is your time too, all you need to create a school cone are a pair of scissors, tape, poster board, gift wrap. crepe or tissue, and a ribbon. Glue or tape gift wrap or colored paper to poster board. Roll the board into a cone and tape closed. Cut top to create a neat circle. Glue or tape crepe or tissue to interior of the cone about an inch or two below the top. Fill your cone with school supplies, tiny treasures and treats and then securely close with a ribbon around the tissue or crepe top. Personalize with a name, embellish with stars or stickers to create a memorable back to school gift.

CHORAL READING 

Welcome 

by Amy Tevelthuis 

Welcome children, I'm glad you're here. 

We're all going to have a wonderful year! 

We'll draw and we'll write, 

We'll sing and we'll play, 

We'll paint and we'll build, 

And learn new things each day!

From Shultuete and the First Day of School Pdf  here .

Vintage scrapbook images soon available at Bon Fortune Party Shop.

National S'mores Week

Yeah, I know. Martha, Martha, Martha. But you have to admit., the stars on the sticks are brilliant. 
If you are soaking up the last fair eves of summer and celebrating under the stars by a campfire then it is prerequisite to have along marshmallows, grahams, and chocolate for S'mores. National S'mores Day was August 10th but since it landed on Wednesday and you may not be able to get out to celebrate until the weekend I extended it (unofficially) to National S'mores Week. 


About S'mores. Who came up with this idea anyhow? It is not clearly documented. From what I gather, the first printed recipe appeared in a Girl Scout booklet in 1927 and was titled "Some Mores" . My guess is that it is no coincidence that the Moon Pie, invented in 1919, likely influenced the homemade camp style version of the chocolate, graham crackers and marshmallow layer treat. 





For more on the history of the Moon Pie click here. 


A couple of S'more tips ala Martha 


1) Soak the sticks 
2) Plan ahead and bring chocolate dipped grahams. 
3) Make your own marshmallows click here for a recipe.


No, Bon Fortune will not carry Moon Pies. But we do love em along with their very close relative the S'more. 


Happy camping!